“I know they’re your favorite,” he said. “I know a lot about you, remember? We shared a lot of things before—”
Sam had had it. Without bothering with his shirt, his hair still damp, he stepped out of the bathroom, well aware of what this looked like, wanting to give Tyler the right impression. “What are you doing here, Stanton?” Sam asked.
Nicole’s gaze lingered appreciatively on Sam before darting to Tyler, whose cheeks flushed dark in embarrassment.
“I’m giving Nicole an early-morning delivery.” To his credit, he didn’t ask Sam the same question.
“Thank you.” Nicole accepted the vase of yellow roses.
“She prefers daisies,” Sam muttered. Or did she?
“Tyler, this really isn’t appropriate. I already told you—”
Sam swallowed back a curse and pushed down on the jealousy. It wasn’t like Nicole was leading the man on.
“I know. And I see things between you two are . . . serious.”
Sam immediately stepped up and wrapped an arm around Nicole. “You’re damn right. Which means you bringing her flowers isn’t cool.”
Nicole sucked in a startled breath. Yes, she knew the two men were adversaries, and of course it made sense that Sam would be jealous of Tyler. She’d feel the same way about any woman showing him attention, especially the morning after. But they’d agreed on an affair, nothing serious, they’d both said. Which meant he didn’t have the right to tell Tyler what he could or couldn’t do. Yet he stood here, his arm around her, telling her ex just that.
Sweet pleasure rushed through her at his warm touch, hugging her close, and his possessive words. Much as she hated to admit it, she’d woken up in Sam’s arms, wishing for this very thing. Of course she’d immediately chastised herself, since she’d been a willing party to their agreement last night. And she had a new, independent life to lead here in Serendipity. No strings, no ties.
“I think it’s up to Nicole whether she wants the flowers or not,” Tyler said to Sam.
She shook her head. In all the years she’d known him, he’d never been so obtuse or dense. “The roses are beautiful, but Sam’s right. We’re involved, and that means you can’t come around here bringing me flowers.” Yet she held the vase in her hand, unable to return them because that would be rude.
“How involved?” Tyler pressed on.
Nicole opened her eyes in shock. “That’s none of your business,” she said, at the same time Sam said, “Very,” causing Nicole’s heart to skip a beat.
Damn her weak self for liking his words that much. Wanting more could only lead to heartache . . . and yet she sensed that more was exactly what she wanted from him after last night.
Sam stepped forward, prodding Tyler out the door. To Nicole’s relief, he went without an argument, and Sam shut the door behind him.
Leaning against the frame, Sam turned to face her. “Well, I hope that little show persuaded him to back off,” Sam muttered.
Show?
Disappointment welled in Nicole’s chest. She drew a deep, calming breath, refusing to let Sam see that she’d nearly bought into his act right along with her ex-fiancé.
“Nicole? You okay?” he asked.
She forced a smile. “Just fine.”
“Can I help with breakfast?”
“Sure. Just let me straighten up first.” She swung away from him, needing a minute that wasn’t beneath his scrutiny.
She headed for the bed and began fluffing pillows and drawing up the comforter, cleaning up after them without meeting his gaze. And she didn’t return to the kitchen area to make breakfast until she was certain she had her emotions under control. After growing up in her parents’ household, she’d thought her protective shell was impenetrable. One look at Sam’s handsome face, dismissing any notion of a serious relationship, and she knew she’d been wrong.
But the last thing she needed was for Sam to think she couldn’t handle the affair she’d so willingly gone into last night. If he saw the signs of a clinging female, he’d take off running for sure. Which meant she’d just have to buck up—and grow up. Oh. And develop a thicker skin.
Sam and the also newly promoted Cara worked a case that took them into the weekend. His mood was foul and since Cara didn’t seem to be feeling well, she left him alone, not pressing him for information. Which meant they were both lost in their own thoughts and that of the case, and the weekend passed slowly. Aware that Nicole was moving into her place, Sam stopped by whenever he could to help. He wasn’t the only one. For a woman new to town, she’d already made friends.
Whenever Sam found time to drive over, a different group of people were there, from Macy and her aunt Lulu, to Erin and Joe and Annie. And of course, to Sam’s frustration, Tyler had shown up and planted himself in her house.
Tyler was doing his best to make himself indispensable, moving boxes, unpacking, and just . . . existing. Sam was disgusted. Tyler clearly didn’t want her staying in Serendipity, but he made damned sure to help her settle in, something Sam hadn’t the time to really do. And it drove him insane, how much Tyler’s presence bothered him.